Great idea for a thread..

Tipping in the US: Wheelchair pushers can legally be paid differently in different states. In NY and CA, for example, minimum wage is high and applies to all employees across the board. In Florida, an employer is allowed to pay employees in a “tipped position” $3 less per hour than minimum wage, which is already several dollars per hour lower than many states with hub airports (although still higher than the federal minimum wage). Tipping should always be discretionary, but often it doesn’t feel that way. If you can get a few dollars in advance and you feel inclined, that’s great. If not, your service should not be affected.

Something to note, not all airports run their assistance service for their airlines. In those airports where the airlines themselves are responsible for the contracts, the service tends to be much, much better. Chairs will generally be waiting on the jetbridge from door opening (no need to wait until last to deplane unless you need crew help or assistance transferring), fewer staging posts if any at all, and a genuine concern for getting you at any connecting gates in good time. Unfortunately at LHR and DFW, both hubs of major airlines, assistance contracts are managed by the airport. I try to avoid short connections at either and never book a car service until I’m actually passing through the exit door.

Those who use mobility assistance at airports with staging points will often have to skip the lounge. This is just a sad fact of how they prioritise.


Some of my airport-specific experiences using mobility assistance for several years now:


One excellent point about LHR and LGW is that they both have assistance meeting points at accessible drop off areas. You press a buzzer or dial a number and wait in a chair for an agent to arrive with a wheelchair. This isn’t common everywhere, at many airports one must make their way to either the check in desk or other designated area inside before assistance can be arranged.

LHR T3 and T5 both always seem dreadfully short-handed. This has been true for a decade though, so it appears to be a choice. There can be long waits, often at parts of the terminal without amenities like toilets, concessions, or vending machines. You can ask if you need these though. Slower times are obviously the best times to pass through either if you have the choice. If you have to connect from one to the other, do so airside if at all possible. There is an assistance bus landslide but it only runs once an hour.

MAD and most Spanish outstations I’ve visited (VLC, BIO, SVQ, AGP, BCN) are run very similarly. You spend most of your time at staging points. But the staff seem happier in their jobs, so there’s that.

DUB has a great service once you get your helper assigned. The longest wait is getting the initial help in departures, and even that wait isn’t too bad.

HEL, CPH, GOT (and presumably other Scand́ airports) have exemplary service and I wish it could be replicated across the network.

JFK, surprisingly, has an exemplary service as well.

MIA’s assistance service isn’t bad but immigration can be a zoo so it’s always good to leave some extra time when possible.

LAX has a new assistance system in TBIT. They are no longer allowed to take you from terminal to terminal, nor can they cross security. This is leading to longer waits on both departing and arriving flights in my experience. Terminals 4, 5, 6, and the Eagle’s Nest still have good service.

PHL has a very good service.

ORD is also very good, but if connecting between BA and AA there will sometimes be a handover.

PHX has a primarily buggy based service that is efficient, but sometimes involves more walking and standing than at most airports. Always ask for a chair if you need one and they haven’t brought one.

DFW is not great. Lots of staging points, long waits, and staff unable to cross from one area to another.

I’ve had amazing service at all Asian and Middle Eastern airports I’ve visited but haven’t been to any frequently enough to discuss them thoroughly.

Tiny airports anywhere in the world tend to run a great service, but occasionally lack equipment.